Cuir Ylang
“Cuir Ylang by Elie Saab is a Leather fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Warmly received so far — a leather, smoky composition with a yellow floral undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Francis Kurkdjian created Cuir Ylang for Elie Saab in 2016, crafting a fragrance that marries the warmth of leather with the lush sweetness of ylang-ylang. The composition opens with smoky and animalic accords, creating an intense contrast against the floral heart notes. The base notes of amber and woody undertones anchor this scent, giving it a long-lasting presence. Cuir Ylang is neither traditionally feminine nor masculine but rather a unisex statement that captures both strength and sensuality.
Composition & Character
How It Wears
Application Tips
Given its strong sillage and long-lasting nature, one or two sprays are sufficient. The smoky top notes are immediate but fade into the richer base notes within an hour, so it's best to apply early in the day for full effect.
Francis Kurkdjian
Founding perfumer · 234 fragrances · French
“My creations are an invitation to choose the scent that suits you daily, because I like the idea that each woman and man can express a part of themselves through perfume.”
Maison Francis Kurkdjian was born in 2009 from the encounter between Francis Kurkdjian, a renowned perfumer with scores of successful creations to his name, and Marc Chaya, Co-founder and President of the fragrance house. At only 24, Francis Kurkdjian composed his first perfume, "Le Male" by Jean Paul Gaultier, an international best-seller and game-changer of its time. Instead of relying on a very promising start to his career, he decided, as a precursor, to explore new possibilities and give olfactory creation a new artistic dimension. In keeping with his visionary outlook, in 2001 he set up his tailor-made perfume workshop, against the general tendency of perfume democratization, while constantly putting his know-how and sensibility at the service of the greatest fashion designers (Rick Owens, Hedi Slimane, Riccardo Tisci, Alber Elbaz or John Galliano), as well as the most iconic houses (Dior, Guerlain or Saint-Laurent). From 2003, artists like Sophie Calle, Christian Rizzo or Sarkis called on him to compose his first olfactory compositions - the starting point of his quest to break down the boundaries between different fields and the senses. In 2008, he was named Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.
Also created
Designer Elie Saab
More from Elie Saab
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The intimacy of an early morning in a dimly lit room, where the lingering smoke from last night's candle mixes with the sweetness of fresh blooms.
Fig. 01 — Cuir Ylang, Elie Saab
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